Concrete wall form with preformed filler panels



2,862,277 CONCRETE WALL FORM WITH PREFORMED FILLER PANELS B. HILLBERG Dec. 2, 1958 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed June 14, 1955 Dec. 2, 1958 Filed June 14, 19 55 B. HILLBERG CONCRETE WALL FORM WITH PREFORMED FILLER PANELS '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 QMM United States Patent Bror Hillberg, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Superior Concrete Accessories, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois ApplicationJunc ;14, 1955, Serial No. 515,358 3 Claims. (Cl. 25131) The present invention relates generally to wall forms. More particularly, the invention relates to that type of form which is adapted for use in the formation of a concrete wall and comprises: (1) a series of upstanding edge to edge rectangular panels which are formed of plywood or other suitable material and have oppositely disposed hole-forming notches in the abutting side edges thereof; (2) a second series of similar upstanding rectangular panels which are disposed in opposed and spaced relation with the panels of the first series; (3) horizontally positioned combined tie and spreader rods which extend between and at right angles to the two series of panels and have'the ends thereof projecting through the notchformed holes between the abutting side edges of the panels; (4) removable clamping devices which are associated with the ends of the combined tie and spreader rods and serve when in place to hold the panels in fixed relation with the ends of the rods; and (5) horizontally disposed walers which extend lengthwise of the two series of panels, are disposed adjacent to the outer faces of the panels, and serve when in use to maintain the panels of each series in rectilinear alignment.

In a concrete wall form of the aforementioned type, it is customary to have all of the panels uniformly dimensioned as to height and width in order that the panels are interchangeable and may be installed with facility. In practice it has been found that if all of the panels are uniformly dimensioned, it is sometimes impossible to arrange the panels so as to form a'concrete wall of predetermined length. If the length of the concrete wall to be formed is greater or less than the length of either series of panels, it is generally necessary to make at the place of use of the form special panels of such width that when they are included withthe standard size panels the length of each series of panels will correspond to the length of the concrete wall that is to be formed. The construction at the place of use of the special panels is not only difiicult but also quite costly.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a concrete wall form which eliminates the necessity of utilizing special panels of the aforementioned character in order to increase or decrease its length and is characterized by the fact that each series of edge to edge panels is provided with a preformed filler panel which is interposed between two regular or standard panels and is so constructed and designed that the two panels may be shifted toward or away from one another to any desired extent within a limited range in order thereby properly to adjust the length of the series of panels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a concrete wall form of the character under consideration in which each preformed filler panel comprises: (1) an elongated upstanding bar-like member which is adapted to fit against the adjacent side edge of one of the two regular panels between whichthe filler panel is interposed and has associated with it releasable means for clamping it in place; and (2) a vertically elongated rectangular plate one side margin of which is fixedly connected to the inner portion of the bar-like member and the other side margin of 2,862,277 P atented Dec. 2, 1958 '2 whichis free and fits slidably against-the inner face of the other panel of the pair of panels between which the filler panel is disposed.

A further objectof the invention'is to provide a concrete wall form of the type andcharacter under consideration in which the vertically. elongated rectangular plate of each preformed filler panel isformed of spring steel and has its free side margin bent outwards to a small extent so that it engages with spring pressure the inner face of the adjacent regular panel and thus prevents the outflow of concrete between it and the inner face of said adjacent regular panel.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a concrete wall form which is generallyof new and improved construction and due to theparticular design, construction and arrangement ofits filler panels is capable of being assembled and dismantled with facility as well as readily adjusted'as to length.

Other objects of the invention and the various'advantages and characteristics of .the present concrete wall form will be apparentfrom a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter settforth and are more particularly defined by the claimsat the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form apart of this specification or. disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote the corresponding .parts throughout the several views:

Figure. lis a fragmentary top perspective view showing a concrete wall form embodying the invention before mounting in place oftheremovableclamping devices and the horizontally disposed walers for maintaining the panels of each seriesinrectilinear alignment;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top perspective view showing the fillerpanel and one of the adjacent regular panels of one series of panels connected together by one of the removable clamping devices and illustrating in .dotted lines the waler which is supported by the one removable clamping device andserves to hold in rectilinear alignment the aforesaid filler paneland adjacent regular panel and also the other regular panels of said one series;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of thepreformed filler panels ofthe concrete wall form;

Figure 5 is a "fragmentary front elevation of the filler panel and the adjacent regular .panel that are shown in Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the socketforming metallic strips .that are used in connection with the regular panels of the form.

The wall form that is shown in thedrawings constitutes the preferred'form or embodiment of theinvention. It is adapted for use in theformation of a concrete wall (see Figure 3) and comprises twosimilar series of upstanding panels, combined tie and spreader rods 7 for holding the two series of panels against relative lateral displacement, clamping devices 8 for holding the panels in fixed or rigid relation with .the combined tie and spreader rods '7, and walers 9 for maintaining the panels of each series in rectilinear alignment. The two series of panels are spaced aparta distance corresponding to the desired thickness-of the concrete wall to be formed therebetween and are adapted to have concrete in plastic or unset form poured between them for wall forming purposes. After setting or hardening of the concrete the form is dismantled as ,hereinafter described and then the projecting ends of the combined tie and spreader rods are broken at .points adjacent to the sides of the concrete wall as well understood in the art.

.Each series of upstanding panels comprises a, regular t v 3 panel 10, a regular panel 11 in spaced apart relation with the regular panel and a filler panel 12 between the tworegularpanels. As shown inFigureG the regular panels 10 of the two series of panels are disposed directly opposite one another, the regular panels 11 are disposed directly opposite one another and the filler panels 12 are disposed directly' opposite one another. The regular panels 11 are the same in size and construction as the regular panels 10. It is contemplated that each series of panels will have additional regular panels in edge to edge relation with the panels 10 and 11 to the end that the form as a whole has the proper length for the concrete wall to be formed. As hereinafter described more in detail the filler panels 12 permit the regular panels 10 to be shifted towards or away from the regular panels 11 to any desired extent within a limited range in order that the length of the entire form may be properly adjusted.

The regular panels 10 are rectangular and have fiat inner and outer faces. They are preferably formed of plywood and have semi-circular notches 13 in the left hand side edges thereof as shown and viewed in Figure 3. The purpose of the notches 13 is to receive or accommodate the end portions of one of the combined tie and spreader rods 7. The regular panels 10 are reenforced by horizontally disposed boards 14 which extend across the outer faces of the panels and are secured in place by nails 15 or similar attaching devices. The boards 14 are preferably positioned so that the imaginary longitudinal center lines thereof are in alignment with the semi-circular notches 13. As shown in the drawings the left hand end edges of the reenforcing boards 14 are disposed a small distance inwards of the left hand side edges of the regular panels 10. Each of the reenforcing boards 14 is provided on its outer face with a horizontally extending metallic strip 16. The strips 16 are located midway between the upper and lower edges of the reenforcing boards 14 and are fixedly secured in place by way of screws 17. The left hand ends of the metallic strips 16 project beyond the left hand end edges of the reenforcing boards 14 and are bent inwards at substantially right angles to form elongated vertically extending open ended sockets 18 which are positioned adjacent to the semi-circular notches 13. The inwardly bent left hand ends of the strip 16 are provided with horizontal notches 19 which are in alignment with the notches 13 and are adapted to have the end portions of one of the combined tie and spreader rods 7 extend through them. The right hand ends of the reenforcing boards 15 and the metallic strips 16 are not shown in the drawings. They are, however, the same as the left hand ends. For a more detailed description of the construction, design and manner of mounting of the regular panels 10, reference may be had to my co-pending patent application Serial No. 500,107, filedon April 8, 1955 and entitled Concrete Wall Form.

As previously pointed out, the regular panels 11 are the same in size and construction as the regular panels 10 and, therefore, no further description of them is deemed to be necessary. They lie inthe same vertical planes as the regular panels 10 and are connected to similar adjoining regular panels as disclosed in my aforesaid pending application. It is contemplated that the regular panels 11 as well as the regular panels 10 will be produced at a concrete wall form factory and then transported to the place of use.

The filler panels 12 are designed for manufacture at the concrete wall form factory and are hence preformed. They are disposed between the regular panels and the regular panels 11 as heretofore pointed out and consist of composite upstanding bar-like members 20 and vertically elongated rectangular plates 21.. The upstanding barlike members 20 are the same .inheight as the regular panels 10 and 11 of the form and consist of wooden bars 22 and channel bars 23. The wooden bars 22 are pref- 4 I erably square in cross section and are the same in thickness as the regular panels 10 and 11. They normally have the outer side surfaces thereof in abutting and registering relation with the left hand side edges of the regular panels 10 and embody in their outer side portions semi-circular notches 24 which are disposed directly opposite to the semi-circular notches 13 and form therewith circular holes 25 for receiving the end portions of one of the combined tie and spreader rods 7 as shown in Figure 3. The channel bars 23 are the same in length as the wooden bars 22. They are preferably formed of steel and consist of webs 26, inner side flanges 27 and outer side flanges 28. The webs 26 fit against the inner side surfaces of the wooden bars 22 and are fixedly connected to the latter by screws 29. The width of the webs 26 is greater than the thickness of the wooden bars and hence the outer side flanges 28 are outwardly offset with respect to the front surfaces of the wooden bars. The inner and outer side flanges 27 and 28 of the channel bars 23 are formed integrally with the side edges of the webs 26 and extend inwards at right angles to the webs. Each of the elongated upstanding bar-like members 20 of the filler panels 12 is provided with a horizontally elongated metallic strip 30. The strips 30 are disposed in horizontal alignment with the metallic strips 16 on the regular panels 10 as best shown in Figure l. The inner ends of the strips 30 fit against, and are welded to, the outer side surfaces of the outer side flanges 28 of the channel bars 23. The outer ends of the strips 30 project beyond the Webs 26 of the channel bars and are bent inwards at substantially right angles so as to form elongated vertically extending open ended sockets 31 which are positioned adjacent to the semi-circular notches 24 in the outer side surfaces of the wooden bars 22. The inwardly bent metallic strips 30 are provided with notches 32 and, when the filler panels 12 are in their operative position wherein they are in connected relation with the regular panels 10, abut against the inwardly bent left hand ends of the metallic strips 16 on the regular panels 10. The notches 32 are normally disposed directly opposite to the notches 19 and are adapted to have the ends of one of the combined tie and spreader rods 7 extend through them (see Figure 3).

The vertically elongated rectangular plates 21 of the filler panels 12 are the same in height as the bar-like members 20 and are preferably formed of thin spring steel. The right hand side margins of the plates as viewed in the drawings fit against the outer side surfaces of the inner side flanges 27 of the channel bars 23 and are fixedly connected to said inner side flanges by way of spot welds 33. The channel bars 23 of the filler panels 12 are outwardly offset with respect to the rear surfaces of the wooden bars 22 a distance equal to thethickness of the plates 21 in order that the inner faces of the plates are flush with the rear surfaces of the wooden bars. The left hand side margins of the plates 21 are free and fit slidably against the inner faces of the regular panels 11 as shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings. Said left hand side margins of the plates are bent outwards to a small extent so that they engage with spring pressure the inner faces of the regular panels 11 and thus prevent the outflow of concrete between them and said inner faces of the regular panels 11. Due to the fact that the left hand side margins of the plates 21 are in sliding engagement with the inner faces of the regular panels 11, the regular panels 10, in connection with assembly or installation of the form as a whole, may be shifted towards or away from the panels 11 to any desired extent within a'limited range in order thereby properly to adjust the length of the two series of oppositely disposed panels. When the regular panels 10 are shifted towards the panels .11, the overall length of the form as a whole is decreased and when the regular panels 10 are shifted away from the regular panels 11, the overall length of the form is increased.

The combined tie and spreader rods 7 extend horizontally and at right angles to the two series of panels and serve in conjunction with the clamping devices 8 to hold the two series of panels in fixed spaced apart relation. But one rod is illustrated in the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the form as a whole includes many combined tie and spreader rods and that the latter are arranged so that the end portions thereof extend through the notch-formed holes between the abutting side edges of the regular panels. The one rod that is shown in the drawings (see Figure 3) is arranged so that the ends thereof project through and an appreciable distance beyond the notch-formed holes 25 between the left hand side edges of the regular panels 10 and the outer side surfaces of the upstanding wooden bars 22 of the filler panels 12. The portions of the one combined tie and spreader rod that are disposed inwards of the two series of panels are provided with conventional flats 34 and conventional weakness points 35 directly outwards of the flats. The extremities of the one rod are provided with heads 36 which are disposed outwards of the notches 19 and 32.

The clamping devices 8 for holding the panels in fixed or rigid relation with the combined tie and spreader rods 7 are like those that are illustrated and described in my aforesaid co-pending patent application Serial No. 500,- 107. Only two clamping devices are illustrated in the drawings and they are shown as being associated with the ends of the one combined tie and spreader rod 7 that is disposed between the regular panels and the filler panels 12. It is to be understood that each of the combined tie and spreader rods of the form as a whole will have two clamping devices 8 associated with its end portions. Each of the two clamping devices that are shown in the drawings consists of a horizontally elongated cast metal bracket 37, a U-shaped locking bolt 38 and a wedge 39. The brackets 37 of the two clamping devices extend at right angles to and outwards from the abutting side margins of the regular panels 10 and the filler panels 12 and embody on their inner ends pairs of spaced apart depending fingers 40. The right hand fingers of the two clamping devices are adapted to fit within and extend downwards through the sockets 18 and the left hand fingers are adapted to fit within and extend downwards through the sockets 31. When the two clamping devices are in their operative position the pairs of depending fingers on the inner ends of the brackets 37 straddle the inwardly bent left hand ends of the metallic strips 16 and the inwardly bent outer ends of the metallic strips 30 and serve to hold or clamp the regular panels 10 and the upstanding bar-like members 20 of the filler panels 12 in edge to edge relation. The U-shaped locking bolts 38 of the removable clamping devices 8 extend horizontally and at right angles to the brackets 37 and are slidably mounted on the inner ends of the brackets. They are adapted when driven in the direction of their open ends to be brought into straddled relation with the heads 36 on the extremities of the one combined tie and spreader rod 7 that is disposed between the regular panels 10 and the filler panels 12. The outer ends of the brackets 37 of the two clamping devices 3 are provided with integral upwardly extending lugs 41. The wedges 39 extend horizontally and fit slidably against the inner surfaces of the lugs 41. They are slidably connected to the lugs by rivet and slot connections 42 and serve when driven in the direction of their small ends to clamp the walers 9 in place.

The walers 9 are in the form of wooden beams and extend horizontally across the outer faces of the regular panels 10 and 11. They are supported on the brackets 37 of the removable clamping devices 8 and are clamped in place when the wedges 39 are driven horizontally in the direction of their small ends. When the walers are in their operative position, they serve to maintain the panels of the two series in rectilinear alignmentrand also 6 prevent the regular panels 10 from shifting towards or away from the regular panels 11.

The various parts of the concrete wall form that are shown in the drawings are assembled by first arranging the regular panels 10 and 11 and the filler panels 12 in an upstanding manner as illustrated in Figure 3. Thereafter, the one combined tie and spreader rod 7 is manipulated so that the end portions thereof extend through the notch-formed holes 25 between the left hand side edges of the regular panels 10 and the outer side surfaces of the wooden bars 22 of the filler panels. After proper manipulation of the one combined tie and spreader rod 7, the two removable clamping devices 8 are positioned so that the inner ends of the brackets 37 thereof overlie the sockets 18 and 31. Thereafter, the brackets are driven downwards so as to cause the pairs of spaced apart figures 40 on the inner end brackets 37 to move downwards into seated or interfitting relation with said sockets. As soon as the brackets of the clamping devices are driven downwards, the regular panels 10 and the filler panels 11 are clamped in edge to edge relation. At the conclusion of the last mentioned operation, the U-shaped locking bolts 38 of the clamping devices are driven in the direction of their open ends so as to cause them to straddle the heads 37 on the extremities of the one combined tie and spreader rod 7. As soon as the locking bolts are driven into place the regular panel 10 and the filler panel 12 of one series of panels is held in fixed spaced apart relation with the regular panel 10 and the filler panel 12 of the other series of panels. At the conclusion of the aforementioned steps or operations, the regular panels 11 are shifted to wards or away from the regular panels 10 so as properly to adjust the overall length of the form as a whole. It is contemplated that after proper adjustment of the regular panels 11 with respect to the regular panels 10, the regular panels 11 will be properly cross connected by way of another combined tie and spreader rod and two additional removable clamping devices. After assembly of the regular panels 10 and 11 and the filler panels 12, the walers 9 are positioned across the outer faces of such panels and so that they rest on the brackets 37 of the clamping devices 8. Thereafter, the wedges 39 are driven in the direction of their small ends so as to clamp the walers in their operative position. As soon as the wedges are driven into place, the form is complete and in readiness to have concrete in plastic or unset form poured between the two series of edge to edge panels. After hardening or setting of the concrete, the form is dismantled by first driving the wedges 39 in the direction of their large ends so as to release the walers 9. After removal of the walers the clamping devices 8 are removed by driving the brackets 37 upwards in order to withdraw the pairs of depending fingers 40 from the sockets 18 and 31. After removal of the brackets the panels are free and hence may be removed from the sides of the concrete wall. After removal of the panels the projecting ends of the combined tie and spreader rods 7 are bent and then turned or twisted so that they fracture at the weakness points 35.

The herein described concrete wall form effectively and efficiently fulfills its intended purpose and is characterized by the fact that the preformed filler panels 12 permit the length of the form as a whole to be increased or decreased as desired. Due to the particu lar construction and design of the filler panels 12 the form is capable of being produced at a comparatively low cost and may be assembled and dismantled with facility. 7

Whereas the form has been described as embodying a filler panel 12 in each series of upstanding edge to edge panels, it is to be understood that in certain instances only one series of panels may employ a filler panel. It is also to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth since they may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A concrete wall form including as parts thereof: a first vertically extending rectangular regular panel; a second vertically extending rectangular regular panel positioned in spaced apart relation with, but in the same vertical plane as, the first regular panel; a preformed vertically extending filler panel interposed between, and lying in the same vertical plane as, the first and second regular panels and comprising a vertically extending and elongated bar-like member in abutting relation with the inner side edge of the first regular panel, and a vertically elongated rectangular plate formed of springy material, having one side margin thereof fitting against, and fixedly connected to, the bar-like member, having its other side margin free and fitting slidably against the inner face of the second regular panel in order that the two regular panels may be shifted towards and away from .one another through an infinite number of adjusted positions to any desired extent within a limited range, and having its said other side margin bent outwards to a small extent so that it engages said inner face of the second regular panel with spring pressure; releasable means for holding 'the bar-like member of the filler panel in abutting relation with the inner side edge of said first regular panel, said releasable means comprising a shoulder-forming member on the bar-like member of the filler panel, a shoulder forming member on the outside face of said first regular panel, a waler-supporting bracket having a pair of spaced apart fingers adapted to straddle the shoulders provided by said shoulder-forming members and draw said shoulders toward each other to in turn clamp the bar-like member and the inner side edge of the first regular panel in such abutting relation, and a waler member supported on said bracket and in effective engagement with said regular panels and serving to maintain the inner face of the second regular panel against said outwardly bent side margin of said elongated rectangular plate.

2. A concrete wall form including as parts thereof: a first vertically extending rectangular panel; a second vertically extending rectangular regular panel of the same size and construction as the first regular panel positioned in spaced apart relation with, but in the same vertical plane as, said first regular panel; a preformed vertically extending filler panel of substantially the same height as the first and second panels, interposed between, and lying in the same vertical plane as, said first and second regular panels and comprising a vertically extending and enlongated composite bar-like member including a wooden bar of the same thickness as the thickness of said regular panels and positioned in abutting relation with the inner side edge of the first regular panel, a channel bar having its web portion fitting against the inner side surface of said wooden bar, having its outer side flange outwardly offset with respect to the front surface of the wooden bar, and having its inner side flange outwardly offset with respect to the rear surface of the Wooden bar and a vertically elongated rectangular plate formed of spring steel, having one side margin thereof fitting against, and fixedly connected to, the inner face portion of theinner side flange of the channel bar, having its outer face portion flush with the rear surface of said wooden bar, having its other side margin free and fitting slidably against the inner face of the second regular panel in order that the two regular panels may be shifted towards and away from one another to any desired extent within a limited range, and having its said other side margin bent outwards to a small extent so that it engages said inner face of the second regular panel with spring pressure; a reinforcing board secured to the outer face of the first panel and terminating short of the inner side edge of the panel, a first horizontal metallic strip secured to said board and overlapping the inner side edge of the latter and having its free end region turned laterally to provide a hook portion thereon, a second horizontal metallic strip secured to the outer side flange of the channel bar at the level of the first strip in horizontal alignment with the latter and overlapping the outer side edge of the side flange and having its free end regions turned laterally to provide a hook portion thereon, a removeable bracket disposed normally adjacent to and outwards of the inner side edge of the first regular panel and the composite bar-like member of the filler panel and provided with a pair of spaced apart fingers that project downwardly and straddle said hook portions and serve to draw the same together to hold the wooden bar in abutting relation with the inner side edge of the first regular panel.

3. A concrete wall form including as parts thereof: a first vertically extending rectangular regular panel provided on the outer face thereof with means forming a vertically extending socket adjacent to but a small distance outwards of one side edge of the panel; a second vertically extending rectangular regular panel positioned in spaced apart relation with said one side edge of the first regular panel and lying in the same vertical plane as said first regular panel; a preformed vertically extending filler panel interposed between, and lying in the same vertical plane as, the first and second regular panels and comprising a vertically extending and elongated bar-like member positioned in abutting relation with the inner side edge of the first regular panel and providing with means forming a vertically extending socket in juxtaposition "with the first mentioned socket, and a vertically elongated rectangular plate formed of resilient material and having one side margin thereof fitting against, and fixedly connected to, the bar-like member and having its other side margin free and fitting slidably against the inner face of the second regular panel in order that the two regular panels may be shifted towards and away from one another to any desired extent within a limited range and having its said other side margin bent outwards to a small extent so that it engages said inner face of the second regular panel under pressure; and a removable bracket disposed normally adjacent to and outwards of the inner side edge of the first regular panel and the bar-like member of the filler panel and provided with a pair of spaced apart depending fingers that project downward through, and fit both slidably and removably in, the two sockets respectively and serve to hold said bar-like member of the filler panel in abutting relation with the inner side edge of said first regular panel, said bracket being formed with a flat upwardly facing waler-supporting surface and a lug projecting upwardly from said surface at a region spaced outwardly from said vertical plane of the regular panels, a waler member supported on said supporting surface and bridging the distance between the opposed vertical edges of said regular panels, and means interposed between a side of the waler and said lug for urging said waler into tight elfective engagement with said regular panels to maintain the pressure between said second regular panel and the outwardly bent side margin of said rectangular plate in any position of adjustment of said second regular panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 969,248 Davis et al. Sept. 6, 1910 986,134 Callahan Mar. 7, 1911 1,032,419 Morrill July 16, 1912 1,204,177 Morrill Nov. 7, 1916 2,017,553 Troiel Oct. 15, 1935 2,582,168 Sato Jan. 8, 1952 2,789,337 Arrighini et al Apr. 23, 1957 

